Begonia plant named ‘Dobegicsaf’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named ‘Dobegicsaf’, characterized by its relatively compact, semi-upright to outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; very dark reddish brown-colored leaves; freely and continuously flowering habit; and large double-type flowers that are light orange in color.

Botanical designation: Begonia hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘DOBEGICSAF’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Begoniaplant, botanically known as Begonia hybrida, and hereinafter referred toby the name ‘Dobegicsaf’.

The new Begonia plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in De Lier, The Netherlands. The objective ofthe breeding program was to develop new compact, freely branching andfreely flowering Begonia plants with large and attractive flowers.

The new Begonia plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor during the autumn of 2016 of Begonia hybrida ‘Dobegicpororan’,disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,038, as the female, or seed, parentwith Begonia hybrida ‘I'CONIA First Kiss Hot Pink’, not patented, as themale, or pollen, parent. The new Begonia plant was discovered andselected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within theprogeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouseenvironment in De Lier, The Netherlands during the spring of 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new Begonia plant by vegetative tip cuttingsin a controlled greenhouse environment in De Lier, The Netherlands sincethe spring of 2017 has shown that the unique features of this newBegonia plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Begonia have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such astemperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Dobegicsaf’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Dobegicsaf’ as a new and distinct Begoniaplant:

-   -   1. Relatively compact, semi-upright to outwardly spreading and        mounded plant habit.    -   2. Vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Freely basal branching habit.    -   4. Very dark reddish brown-colored leaves.    -   5. Freely and continuously flowering habit.    -   6. Large double-type flowers that are light orange in color.

Plants of the new Begonia can be compared to plants of the femaleparent, ‘Dobegicpororan’. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the newBegonia differ primarily from plants of ‘Dobegicpororan’ in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Begonia are more freely branching than        plants of ‘Dobegicpororan’.    -   2. Plants of the new Begonia have lighter orange-colored flowers        than plants of ‘Dobegicpororan’.    -   3. Plants of the new Begonia have longer peduncles than plants        of ‘Dobegicpororan’.

Plants of the new Begonia can be compared to plants of the male parent,‘I'CONIA First Kiss Hot Pink’. In side-by-side comparisons, plants ofthe new Begonia differ primarily from plants of ‘I'CONIA First Kiss HotPink’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Begonia have larger flowers than plants of        ‘I'CONIA First Kiss Hot Pink’.    -   2. Flowers of plants of the new Begonia are light orange in        color whereas flowers of plants of ‘I'CONIA First Kiss Hot Pink’        are deep pink in color.

Plants of the new Begonia can be compared to plants of Begonia hybrida‘I'CONIA Bacio Peach’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plantsof the new Begonia differ primarily from plants of ‘I'CONIA Bacio Peach’in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Begonia are larger and more vigorous than        plants of ‘I'CONIA Bacio Peach’.    -   2. Plants of the new Begonia have larger leaves than plants of        ‘I'CONIA Bacio Peach’.    -   3. Plants of the new Begonia have larger flowers than plants of        ‘I'CONIA Bacio Peach’.    -   4. Flowers of plants of the new Begonia are light orange in        color whereas flowers of plants of ‘I'CONIA Bacio Peach’ are        soft yellow to peach in color.    -   5. Plants of the new Begonia have longer and thicker peduncles        than plants of ‘I'CONIA Bacio Peach’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearanceof the new Begonia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotograph may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Begonia plant.

The photograph is a close-up view of a typical flowering plant of‘Dobegicsaf’ grown in a container.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used for the aforementioned photograph and following observationsand measurements were grown in 12-cm containers during the summer in aglass-covered greenhouse in De Lier, The Netherlands. During theproduction of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 35° C.,night temperatures ranged from 17° C. to 25° C. and minimum light levelwas 135 watt/m². Plants were twelve weeks old when the photograph andthe description were taken. In the following description, colorreferences are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart,Fifth Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Begonia hybrida ‘Dobegicsaf’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Begonia hybrida ‘Dobegicpororan’,            disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,038.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Begonia hybrida ‘I'CONIA First Kiss            Hot Pink’, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By vegetative tip cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 18 days at            temperatures about 22° C. to 30° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 21 days at            temperatures about 20° C. to 22° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 22 to 25            days at temperatures about 22° C. to 30° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 25 to 28            days at temperatures about 20° C. to 22° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; whitish grey            in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and            formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of            roots; plants of the new Begonia have not been observed to            form tubers.        -   Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Semi-upright to outwardly            spreading and mounded plant habit; relatively compact;            freely basal branching with about three primary lateral            branches each with about three secondary lateral branches;            vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 23.5            cm.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 26            cm.        -   Plant width.—About 35 cm.        -   Lateral branch description.—Length: About 16 cm. Diameter:            About 9 mm. Internode length: About 4.5 cm. Texture and            luster: Pubescent; semi-glossy. Aspect: Upright to outwardly            spreading. Strength: Moderately strong, flexible. Color,            developing: Close to N144C; at the internodes, close to            144C. Color, developed: Close to 152B.        -   Leaf description.—Arrangement: Alternate, simple. Length:            About 14 cm. Width: About 6 cm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex:            Narrowly acute. Base: Oblique. Margin: Serrate; sinuses            medium in depth and divergent. Texture and luster, upper and            lower surfaces: Pubescent; semi-glossy. Venation pattern:            Palmate; reticulate. Color: Developing leaves, upper            surface: Close to 200A. Developing leaves, lower surface:            Close to N186C. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close            to 200A; venation, close to 144B. Fully expanded leaves,            lower surface: Close to 178C; venation, close to N144C.            Petioles: Length: About 9 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm. Texture            and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous;            semi-glossy. Strength: Moderately strong; flexible. Color,            upper and lower surfaces: Close to 152B.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flowering habit.—Double-type flowers arranged in axillary            cymes; freely flowering habit with typically about three            flowers per inflorescence and about 42 open flowers and            flower buds per plant at one time; flowers face mostly            upright to outwardly.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Natural flowering season.—Plants begin flowering about eight            weeks after planting; long flowering period, in the garden            plants flower freely and continuously from the late spring            throughout the summer in Northern Europe and can be flowered            year-round in greenhouses.        -   Flower longevity.—Individual flowers last about four to five            weeks on the plant; flowers not persistent.        -   Inflorescence height.—About 7.5 cm.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 10 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 3 cm. Diameter: About 2 cm.            Shape: Ovoid. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous;            semi-glossy. Color: Close to 145C.        -   Flower size.—Diameter: About 7.5 cm by 8.3 cm. Depth            (height): About 2.5 cm.        -   Petals.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: Typically four            to five per flower arranged in a single whorl. Length: About            4.2 cm. Width: About 2.8 cm. Shape: Obovate. Apex: Rounded            and emarginate. Base: Cuneate and truncate. Margin: Entire;            not undulate. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth,            glabrous; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth,            glabrous; semi-glossy. Color: When opening, upper surface:            Close to 36A. When opening, lower surface: Close to 36B.            Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 49B; venation, close            to 36B; color becoming closer to 37D with subsequent            development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 36C;            venation, close to 36B; color becoming closer to 36B with            subsequent development.        -   Petaloids.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: Typically 40            per flower arranged in about six whorls. Length: About            2.8 cm. Width: About 1.8 cm. Shape: Obovate. Apex: Rounded.            Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire; slightly undulate. Texture            and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous;            semi-glossy. Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces:            Close to 9A and 29B. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to            10A and 29B; venation, close to 10A and 29B; color becoming            closer to 29B subsequent development. Fully opened, lower            surface: Close to 9B and 29C; venation, close to 9B and 29C;            color becoming closer to 29C with subsequent development.        -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: Typically two            to five per flower arranged in a single whorl. Length: About            4.2 cm. Width: About 2.8 cm. Shape: Obovate. Apex: Rounded            and emarginate. Base: Cuneate and truncate. Margin: Entire.            Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous; semi-glossy. Color: When opening, upper surface:            Close to 36A. When opening, lower surface: Close to 36B.            Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 37C. Fully opened,            lower surface: Close to 37D.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 11.5 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm.            Aspect: Semi-upright. Strength: Moderately strong; flexible.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color: Close            to 152B.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3.3 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm.            Aspect: Upright to outwardly. Strength: Moderately strong;            flexible. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy.            Color: Close to 145A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity of stamens per            flower: About three. Filament length: About 1 cm. Filament            color: Close to 12A. Anther length: About 2 mm. Anther            shape: Oval. Anther color: Close to 14A. Amount of pollen:            None observed. Pistils: Quantity of pistils per flower:            Three. Pistil length: About 8 mm. Style length: About            4.5 mm. Style color: Close to 15A. Stigma diameter: About            5 mm. Stigma shape: Curled, bi-lobed. Stigma color: Close to            17C. Ovary color: Close to 145A. Fruits and seeds: To date,            fruit and seed development have not been observed on plants            of the new Begonia.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, resistance to pathogens and    pests common to Begonia plants has not been observed on plants of    the new Begonia.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Begonia have been observed    to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 10° C. to about 35° C.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Begonia plant named ‘Dobegicsaf’ asillustrated and described.